robinson (redirected from Robinson, Edward G.)

before you can say Jack Robinson and quicker than you can say Jack Robinson

Fig. almost immediately. (Often found in children's stories.) And before you could say Jack Robinson, the bird flew away. I'll catch a plane and be there quicker than you can say Jack Robinson.

See also: before, can, jack, say

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before you can say Jack Robinson  (old-fashioned)

if you say that something happens before you can say Jack Robinson, it happens very suddenly I offered her a chocolate but before you could say Jack Robinson she'd eaten half the box.

See also: before, can, jack, say

Heath Robinson  (British)

if a machine or system is Heath Robinson, it is very complicated in a way that is funny, but not practical or effective

Usage notes: Heath Robinson was an English artist who drew strange, complicated machines that could do simple jobs.

My granny's got this great Heath Robinson device for slicing eggs.